Paradise Quest Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Paradise Quest is the latest match 3 style game to join the the app store where there are already a plethora of similar titles. To stick out of the crowd these types of game need to be at the best and preferably add something new to the genre, so how does Paradise Quest match up to these two requirements?

First the basics, the game has a beautiful tropical island forest theme, a multitude of animals and birds frequent the screen as you navigate the menu’s and play the game adding to the Paradise Island feel. The sound effects and music are nice too, nothing too intrusive but noticeable enough to add to the ambiance. The controls are simple. The menu’s are navigated by touch and while some of the navigation button can sometimes be hidden by the beautiful backgrounds once you know where they are you’ll have no trouble using them. The one thing I did find is that some of the navigation buttons and option controls are rather small and you have to be very accurate in ensuring you choose the right option, after silencing the sound it took me at least a couple of minutes to be able to grab the slider control again to turn it up!

Controlling the game is simple, especially with the addition of sliding controls to select your pieces as well as tapping them. As with most match 3 type games the board is initially randomly set with a range of playing pieces and again in keeping with the games theme the playing pieces range from bugs, birds and animals to flora and fauna and your task is to swap adjacent pieces to line 3 matching pieces up. All pretty straight forward up to this point.

The twist to Paradise Quest is they way you clear the board, uncover artifacts and progress through the 40 different levels. Each level consists of a different shaped board which extends beyond the edges of the iPhone/iPod touch screen and therefore you have to navigate around it to uncover all the treasures of your Paradise Quest. Navigating around the board is done as you match the items. If you clear a set of 3 or more pieces on the right side of the screen it will move to the right, clear a set near the top of the screen and you’ll move up. Clearing the vine tiles also helps you navigate each map as it helps grow the vine that surrounds each map. Grow the vine completely and it will allow you to swing to anywhere on the map directly.

Navigating around all areas of the different locations is key to finding the hidden treasures that not only allow you to complete the levels but also uncover power-ups that when used allow you to clear whole sections of the playing are in one go. The main treasure you need to find on each level is the Habitat Fragment and there is often more than one of these on each level to be found. Each one is surrounded by a stone tile and you’ll need to clear all 8 tiles surrounding the Habitat Fragment to release it.

Sometimes areas of the map will be blocked by walls and you will need to find the key before being able to pass. These keys and other artifacts are hidden on each map beneath sand tiles and you’ll need to clear those before being able to progress. All of this at the same time as you try to beat the clock and not run out of possible moves.

As you clear each island you will build up your resources, which resources you build up is based on which ones you use most often to clear the levels. You can then use these to upgrade the island and bring back the wildlife. The are a plethora or species to bring back and not only can images of them be seen in the island itself but you also have a photo album to keep track of all your successes.

There’s no multi-player mode which would have definitely added an extra dimension to the game but there are achievements to be unlocked and a online leaderboard to compare your skills to the masses.

With 40 levels to play through and additional packs available via in game purchase Paradise Quest should keep you entertained for quite a while, if you are a fan of the match 3 genre or puzzle games in general I would encourage you to spend $1.99 on this excellent game.

The Good

• Beautiful Scenery & Environments
• Not just your normal match 3 game
• 40 levels to keep you busy

The Not So Good

• Tricky navigation controls
• Slow load times

Reviewed by: Craig Willis

Teaser

Price: $1.99
Reviewed Version 1.0.0
Size: 79.5 MB
Publisher: I-play

I-play’s latest puzzle game Paradise Quest for iPhone is now available on App Store. We received details about the game in December 2009. The game certainly adds a very unique touch to popular match 3 style game as it offers an adventure story mode and various missions to accomplish.

You will love the addictive story mode and enjoy a fresh twist on puzzle games with Paradise Quest on your iPhone. Pradise Quest Lite version (iTunes Store) is now available and it features in–app purchase to unlock the full game.

Full Paid Version will follow in the next few days.

Paradise Quest iPhone Game Teaser

I-play sent us details about their upcoming game called Pradise Quest in December alongwith a Christmas present, a free copy of Paradise Quest PC Game to give us an insight into how the iPhone game will look and play.

Paradise Quest adds a very unique twist to popular match 3 style game by offering an adventure story mode and various missions to accomplish.

Today I-play posted the first trailer of Paradise Quest for iPhone on YouTube. The game is already popular with over 5 million online players and will be available for iPhone/iPod touch soon.

We were very impressed with the PC version and even though there are many match 3 style games in the App Store, Paradise Quest offers a fun filled puzzle game experience.

Game Details

A PUZZLE WITH A REVOLUTIONARY TWIST! An exciting take on the ever-popular Match-3 puzzle genre: each match you make moves you smoothly across the puzzle board. Explore the map to find special items and complete your mission through 50 addicting levels!

AN EXCITING TROPICAL ADVENTURE Play as renowned ecologist Dr Evan Finch to restore the majestic island of Isabela to its former beauty. Collect natural resources to revive lush vegetation, restore a mighty animal kingdom, and uncover the ancient artifacts of a lost Galapagos civilization.

Features

• Drag and swap objects to make matches
• Colourful graphics,  enchanting sound effects and dazzling animations
• Multiplayer challenges over bluetooth and Wi-Fi
• Bonus Pack (in app purchase) 20 new addicting levels

Paradise Quest iPhone Game Teaser

Screenshots